Decorative tree



Dec. 24, 1940. A. E. ROYLE DECORATIVE TREE 1 Filed March 21, 1939 2Sheets-Sheet 1 mwn m Dec. 24, 1940. RQYLE 2,226,349

DECORATIVE TREE Filed March 21, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fmexqngwE, $03M W ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 24, 1940 v UNITED STATES" PATENTOFFICE 3 Claims. (01. 41-15 a My present invention relates to animproved decorative tree which-is. preferably made up in miniaturesizes, the dissociated parts of which are made up in asmall compactpackage for sale. 'I'hesedissociated parts are adapted to be manuallyassembled, under instructions, by amateurs, thus providing entertainmentand novelty for the person or persons assembling tree parts, and also p,

providing an ornamental and decorative tree. 1 In carrying out'myinvention I utilize a sheet of thin,'pliant, and somewhat resilientmetal, in which sheet are stamped guiding kerfs so that the sheetimay'beflexed and separated at the kerfs into two blanks, one 'or both of whichblanks may beutilized in the formation of a tree-trunk or tubular stemhaving a uniform series of tines. In the package, as sold, a handtool ormandrel is enclosed-by means of which the tines may be converted intocurledor twisted branches for the tree. A suitable base,'and appropriatedecorative features or ornamentsare also incl'uded'in the package, aswill be later described.

In the accompanying'drawings I have illustrated one complete example ofthe physical embodiment of my invention, and the vmethod by which thetree is made, but it'will'be understood that changes and alterations maybe made in these exemplifying drawings, within the scope of my claims,without departing from the principles of the invention. Figure 1 is aplan view of a thin sheet metal plate having kerfs of channels stampedin its faces, from which two blanks may be formed by separating thekerfs; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the blanks after ithas been separated, as by hand, from another blank of the sheet orplate, part of the separated blank being broken away for convenience ofillustration.

Figure 3 is a perspective view (iii a blank with its marginal striprolled into a tubular stem, which forms the main, upright stem or trunkof the completed tree.

Figure 4 is a perspective view, partly in section, of one form of a handtool mandrel which is utilized in curling the branches of the tree.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the initial step in employing amandrel of another type to curl a branch of the tree; and Figure 6 is asimilar view showing the completion of the method of curling thetree-branch, the mandrel being in position for release from the curledbranch.

Figure '7 is a perspective view at the top of the tree-stem showing therelation of three radially arranged and curled branches, each or whichis5 fashioned with a supporting lug at its outer end.

Figure 8 is a detail view showingv a portion of the stem, together witha curled branch, and an. ornament attached at the free end of thebranch,

Figure 9 is a sectional detail view'of the treebase or support, showinga supporting pin or nail for the tree-stem, and also showing sockets inthe base to receive ornaments, shown by dotted lines. w

Figure 10 is, a plan view of a tree-base showing the exterior socketstherein to receive ornaments, w as varied, colored gum drops.'.'Figure"1l is a 'modifiedform of the sheet or metal plate with thekerfs stamped therein.

Figure 12 is a slightly modified form of the treebase, partly in sectionto show the integral nodules 15 on the base in lieu of socketsto receivethe ornamentalgum drops of Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a completed tree showing the curled'branches anddecorations on their ends, and the ornamental features of the base ofthe 20 tree.

i In' carrying out my invention I employ a thin fplate or sheet ofsuitable material that is capable of being stamped or pressed in asuitable machine, I to provide the zig-zag kerfsshown in Figure 1 25 andalso in, Figure 11, which kerfs terminateat a suitable distance fromopposite edges 'of' the plate to form marginal edges or flat bars. Ihave found that sheet metal, treated paper, plastics, or other materialswhich will take a curl may be 30 used. In some instances even wire maybe used.

The metal is pliant and somewhat resilient so that the tines which formthe branches of the tree, when curled may wobble or quiver similar tothe action of a spring. 35

In Figure 1 I have shown a sheet of metal having a straight marginaledge I and a diagonal edge 2, and between these edges or fiat bars, thezig-zag kerfs are indicated at 3, and it will be noted that thelongitudinal kerfs extending trans- 4 versely of the plate, increase inlength from the top of the plate toward the lower end of the plate. Bygrasping the opposite fiat bars I and 2 in the hands and flexing theplate, it will be understood that the plate may be separated intoblanks, one 45 .of which is shown in Figure 2 as comprising a flat edgebar I and a series of parallel tines 4, the top tine being the shortestand the bottom tine being the longest, in order that the length of thetree-branches will decrease from the bottom toward the top of the tree.

' The flat marginal edge or fiat bar I is curled or turned from end toend by a suitable tool to form the trunk or tubular stem 5 of the tree,and then the straight tines 4 are curled to form the branches of thetree, a partially completed branch 6 being shown in Figure 6.

For curling the tines I employ a suitable handtool, or other device, as1, which is a tapered mandrel having a bifurcated end B, or slot 8', andthe tines are sucessively curled by the use of this tool. The free endof a tine is inserted in the bifurcated tool I as in Figure then thetine is rolled upon the mandrel while the latter is being turned fromposition of Figure 5 to position of Figure 6.

Starting at the top of the blank in Figure 3, the

successive tines, as indicated in Figure '7 are turned or curled to formthe branches 9, 9, of the tree and the branches are spaced apart inradial I relation to the tree-stem, in imitation of a tree with itsbranches, as shown in Figure 13; I

For ornamental purposes, the ends of the curled branches 9 are bentupwardly at in to form sup-' porting lugs for confections, as gum drops,which are preferably of varied colors, and are pressed onto the lugs toprovide a firm seat thereon. The gum drops, or other suitableconfections are indicated at l l in Figure 13, and it will be understoodthat various other ornaments or decorative features may be hung upon thebranches of the tree.

To provide a stable support for the tree I preferably use ahemispherical base l2, which may be of candy, or other suitablematerial, and the base is formed with a wide flat bottomface or hearingsupport to prevent accidental tipping of the tree. In attaching the treeto the base a center pin or nail 13 having a head I4 is embedded in thebase, and the lower end of the tubular stern of the tree is forced downover the projecting upper end of the pin I3, and the tubular stem fitsneatlyon the pin with suflicient friction .to prevent accidentalseparation of the parts.

In Figures 9 and the exterior face of the hemispherical base is shown asprovided with a number of sockets 15 extending over the face of thebase, and these sockets are filled with elliptical or egg-shapedconfections as l6, indicated by dotted lines in Figure 9. In Figure 12 amodification of this arrangement of the ornamented base is shown whereinthe base I! has a number of decorative nodules is fashioned integrallytherewith. In either of the two forms, the base and its ornamental ordecorative features, different and contrasting colors are used, thusinsuring a pleasing efiect for the trimmed tree. 5

In Figure 11 where a slight modification is shown, the edge bars l9 andof the kerfed plate or sheet, form the boundaries for the zig-zag kerfs2|, and the two blanks fashioned from this plate have narrow tines 22that are rounded at 10 their ends and the tines are tapered down totheir free ends somewaht similar toa comb.

The foregoing description and the accompanying drawings are believed toclearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention, but it will be15 understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative and that suchchanges in the invention may be made as are fairly within the scope andspirit of the following claims.

- I claim: 20 l. A decorative tree .comprising a hemispherical basehaving exterior pocketsadapted to receive decorative features, and anupright centerpin mounted inthe base, a'tubular, tree-stem mounted onthe center-pin, said stem having 25 radially extending branches, andsupporting lugs at the ends of saidbranches adapted to form seatsforornaments. l,

2. A'decorative tree comprising a hemispherical base havingexteriorreceptacles for decorative features, and an upright center-pinmounted'in the base, a tubularmetal tree-stem mounted on the center-pin,said stem having'radially extending, integral and'flexiblebranches, andsupporting lugs at the ends of the branches adapted to form seats forornaments.

3. A" decorative tree comprising a basehaving an upright center-pin, atubular tree-stem mounted on the center-pin, saidstem having straight,integral radiating branches, said branches each 40 having a multiplicityof uniform curls extending from end to end along the longitudinalaxis'of the branch, and lugs at the outer ends of said branches adaptedto form seats for ornaments.

ALEXANDER E. BOYLE.

